Foot accelerator



W. J. HATHEWAY.

FQQT ACCELERATOR. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. H. 1920.

1,436,167., Patented Nov. 21, 1922 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Fatented Nov. 2i, 1 19220 we, e n; pi e;- 15%:

FOOT ACCELERATOR.

Application filed September 11, 1920. Serial No. 409,534.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WoonsoN J. HATER- wAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stan'oerry, in the county of Gentry and fitate of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foot Accelerators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in valve or throttle operating mechanisms and more particularly to foot operating means for controlling the opening and closing of the throttle valve oi an internal combustion engine.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above nature which may operate the throttle independently of the well known hand throttle mechanism and which includes novel means for return ing the throttle to a closed position after it has been opened by the foot actuated means.

Another object of the invention is to proride a device of the above nature which is comparatively simple to manufacture, one which may be applied to well known types oi automobiles and one which is highly ei'iioicnt in practice.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a top plan of the invention applied to the throttle arm.

igure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part or" the invention, and

Figure 4 is a section through a portion of this part showing the manner of connecting thereto the operating rod.

Referring now to the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a carbureter installed in the intake pipe 6 in which is mounted the well known type of throttle valve, not shown, the latter being controlled by the well known type of throttle arm 7.

My invention consists in providing a plate 8 of segmental configuration secured by means of screws 9 or any other suitable tastening devices through the throttle arm as clearly shown. Adjacent the curved edge 10 of the plate 8 and paralleling this edge is an elongated arcuate slot 11 in which one end of the connecting rod 12, forming a part of hand throttle mechanism operates. In l- 'lgure 1, the throttle arm 7 is shown in a position whereby the throttle valve within the intake pipe or conduit is arranged in a closed position, and it will be understood to those acquainted with the art to which this invention pertains, that when the hand operated throttle mechanism is actuated, the connecting rod 12 which operates in the slot 11 bears against one end of the arcuate slot and swings the plate or member 8 together with the throttle arm 7 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

One corner of the segmental plate 8 at the juncture of one of the straight edges and the curved edge is provides with a reduced L-shaped extension 13. However, this L- shaped extension is bent back upon the plate 8 to overlie a corner of the plate 8 in spaced relation thereto. The other arm 14 of the L- shaped extension will project laterally beyond the curved edge 10 of the plate, the free end of the arm 14 being equipped with an aperture 15 for the reception of one end of a coiled spring 16.

The opposite end or" the coiled spring is fastened to a push rod 17 adjacent an offset portion 18 therein. One end of the push rod is oitset as at 19 and extends through an opening in the dash of the automobile and is provided with a head or knob 20 to provide a bearing surface at the end of the rod.

At the opposite end the push rod is bent downwardly at right angles to the plane of the rod and is adapted to extend through aligned apertures, one of which is provided in the portion 01- the l.-shaped extension 18 which overlies one corner of the segmental plate 8, and the other of which is provided in the body portion of the plate 8. A cotter pin 23 is passed through the free end of the angularly disposed end of the push rod to prevent accidental disengagement thereof from the plate 8. 1

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming that it is desired to open the throttle valve wider than can be accomplished by manipulation of the hand throttle mechanism the operator places his foot upon the head or knob 20 of the push rod 17 and forces the latter forwardly of the automobile. This movement of course causes the plate 8 to swing upon the pivot or" the throttle arm 7 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1. Due to the fact that one end of the connecting rod 12 operates in the arouate slot 11 movement of the plate 8 will not cause movement of the connecting rod 12.

During the swinging movement of the plate 8, it will be noted that the arm l t thereof will be arranged further and further from the forward end of the push rod due to the fact that the push rod has pivotal connection with the plate. Consequently the spring 16 will be tensioned and when pres sure upon the push rod 17 is released, the spring will automatically return the plate 8 and push rod 19 to their normal positions as well as close the throttle valve in the intake conduit.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have reference to the preferred or approved embodiment 01 my invention. It is to be understood however that such changes may be made in construction and arrangement of parts, materials, dimensions, etc., as may prove expedient and fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a throttle arm, of a member secured thereto and having means for attaching one end of a connecting rod of a hand operated throttle mechanism thereto, means for operating said member independently of the connecting rod, and spring means connecting said member andsaid last named means for returning said member to its normal position.

2. The combination with a throttle arm, of a member secured thereto and having means for attaching one end of a connecting rod of a hand throttle mechanism thereto, an arm extending from said member, means for operating said member independently of the connecting rod, and a coiled spring connected to the arm of said member and to said last named means for returning said member to its normal position.

3. The combination with a throttle arm, of a member secured thereto and having means for attaching one end of a connecting rod of a hand throttle mechanism thereto, an arm extending laterally from said member, an operating rod having one end pivotally connected to said member adjacent said arm, and a coiled spring connected to the arm of said member and to said operating rod for returning said member to its normal position.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVOODSON J. HATHEW'AY. Witnesses:

J. S. HATHEWAY, JOHN HoERroN. 

